Stamps bring in Kean

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The Calgary Stampeders have added a player who could solve their kicking problems.

Former first-round draft pick Warren Kean has joined the team Friday morning in hopes of resurrecting his CFL career.

Now, the Stamps enter the CFL draft Sunday with at least one potential player to replace the departed Sandro DeAngelis.

This doesn't mean the Stamps won't draft a kicker -- the likes of Rob Maver, Grant Shaw and Justin Palardy are all decent prospects -- but at least there is some stability if GM-head coach John Hufnagel doesn't get one.

When Kean was taken second overall by the Edmonton Eskimos in 2007, it was a widely criticized move. There wasn't anything against Kean — he looked to be a decent player — but the Eskimos didn't need to use that high of a pick on him. He was just a backup to veteran Sean Fleming at the time.

A year later when the Eskimos traded for Noel Prefontaine, Kean was released and he went to Winnipeg where things didn't pan out.

"I'm ecstatic to get back to football," said Kean in a statement. "I've done a lot of work to get to this point and I can't wait to get started. There are a lot of people that work their whole lives for this opportunity and to have the chance twice is quite remarkable."

Kean has played one CFL game -- the regular-season finale in 2007 for the Eskimos -- and converted three of four field-goal chances.

The Concordia product was a three-time conference all-star and an all-Canadian in 2005. He holds the CIS record for most made field goals in a single game with nine. As well, he is third in Quebec University Football League history with 53 career field goals.

In another move, the Stamps also signed last year's first-round pick Eric Fraser, a Canadian defensive back out of Central Michigan.

"The addition of Warren and Eric gives another real boost to our Canadian talent," said Hufnagel in a statement. "We needed a kicker and Warren has the ability to be a solid CFL kicker. We're excited about his signing and I know he's very excited about the opportunity to play for the Calgary Stampeders.

"Eric was our first-round pick last year but he went back to school to finish his senior season. He made good progress and we feel he can come to camp with a real chance to help us on defence."